Department key to think-tank, says Prime Minister

PRIME Minister James Marape says the National Planning and Monitoring Department is the key to Government’s think-tank to get moving in the right direction.
Marape, who launched the National Planning and Monitoring corporate plan 2020-2024, on Thursday, said the plan should assist government.
“Government’s agenda will come in Planning, Finance and Treasury should have flexibility enough to adapt government instructions and policy,” he said.
“Vision 2050 entrenches what we want our country to be and all these things have been built up till today.
“Our intent is to connect PNG in terms of our government, mobilising land for PNG.”
Marape told National Planning staff never to divert their minds from the reality of what’s happening.
“Our Government would like to see all state agencies have a clear, visible, conducive plan that is appreciated by all stakeholders,” Marape said.
“Something that can work in respect to the availability of the resource envelop.
“You have the structure and the mandate that you carry as far as the organisation is concerned.”
Marape acknowledged Minister Sam Basil for leading the department and ministry in the five-year corporate plan.
“I’ve been advised that this department has been without a corporate plan for the last 10 years and I hope this is not an indication of what you have been doing in the last years. You are really the foresight, the long, medium and short-term range vision holders of our country,” he said.
“We expect you to be the smartest, best and first in almost everything you do.
“To ensure that your plan is organic, your structure must be receptive to embrace evolving policy direction and the intent of government.”
Marape said he saw the 2020s with a lot of optimism.